Folding extension device



mm. 5 195% H. M. GAUN 5 9 FOLDING EXTENSION DEVICE Filed Feb. s, 1948 3 Sheets-$heet 1 J a A INVENTOFE 62 w my [1. GfiU V 74 ATTD RNEY 5,, 195% H. M. GAUN 25329340 FOLDING EXTENSION mavzcm Filed Feb. 5, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T1 .5 T1, I7 T1 I mmumwunwmmmmwmn IImuIumI-L IM rnwnmnlzmmmmmm zfmjwa ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1950 H. M. GAUN 2,532,840

FOLDING EXTENSION DEVICE Filed Feb. 3. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 $04 INVENTOR T1 l2 T1 I? ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,532,849 FOLDING EXTENSION DEVICE Harry M. Germ, Montclair, N. 3., assignor to Jac ues Kre'isler Manuftbturing Corporation, North Bergen,"N. L, a corporation A eta e ter a 3, Sea P- 1 This invention relates to clasps for wrist watch bands and the like, and more especially a 'les s Of e folding ex en n ype.

It i the primary aim and object of the present invention to provide a'clasp of this type of which the foldable partsare lccked in closed relation by positive latch action, rather than by the wellkn n expediency of interwedging them which ent rapid wear and earlybreakdown of the 106k. It isancthe mPQren o j c of the re 1 invention to provide a clasp of this type "with a manually releasable latch which functions reliably has little bulk, yet is of stnrdy and lasting cjdnstruction, andfairlyconceals its true t 1 whe e min it designa e nc It isanother important object of the present invention to provide the instant clasp withtwin elitens'ions each of which is separately foldable dunfoldable, and to construct'the latch so either extension may in its folded condition be snapped into interlocking engagement with the'la'tchWvithout releasing the other extension from interlocking engagement therewith, or either one'or botnextens'ions may be released from fe ifent'rnanipulation of the latter.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more interlocking engagement with the latch on dif f ll ytrld rstbdd from the"f ollowi hg description u considered connection with the accompanyingillustrative drawings. l

Inth'e drawingsi Fig/1 is an enlarged perspective view of a clasp embodying the present invention;

'Figl"2 is another enlargedperspectiye view of thesame clasp, showing the same in folded or esea condition in contrast to the unfolded clasp Shbvtflih Fig. 1;

"'Fig. Bis a section taken on the line 3 -3 of Fig.2;

Fig.4; perspectively illustrates the disassembled parts of men mechanismnsed in the present clasp;

' Fig. 5 perspectively illustrates the disassembled parts of the present clasp;

Fig.6 is an'end view of one of the parts of the clasp as viewed in the direction of the arrow B nF e 'fi;

Fig. 7 is an end;elevational view of a detail 3 Claims. (01. 24-71 ofthe latch mechanism used in the present clasp;

' Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8+3 of Fi 7;

Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating different operating conditions of the latch mechanism; and

Figs. 12 to 14:, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating different operating conditions Qf a'modifi'ed latch mechanism.

" Befrt 'ltQ the drawin s. the r re ce num t lllde iena es a clasp wh folds nd u f'lds in thefashion shown in Figs. 1 'and'2. T s, if the instant clasp I0 is, in'a manner inafterdefi lribed, interposed in a'wrist watch band, for instance, the latter will be snug around the wearers wrist when the clasp is foldedcr etc '1' as shown in Fig. 2, and the watch band Willjb su ficiei ex en e m e idable vOver the wearers wrist when the clasp is unfolded asshcwnin Fig. l.

clasp t c m r e a ba e plate '2. two felti g ex en ns I4 an an a latch me 81 or lock n 1 9th extri s c s' and 15 if their folded or closed; condition: The base 11M 2, wit maybe rve lcn ia y a sh in Figs; 1 and 5 to approximate the curvat'ufie or the wearers wrist, is preferably made of precious or non-precious metal in sheet form, and ha i opposite e margins "m l d' nt lq gitu l al v e nd n ea 0 to len ed st t n t i ehdii i i to h p e- Eachfoldingsection M and It consists of a link member 22 and a cover member 24." More rticnlarl'y, the link member-"22 of each exten-' sion It and I6 is interposed between one end of thebase plate I; and the corresponding'eover member 2}}. The link members 22 may, like'the base plate l2 and the cover membersZd, be made of any suitable material, preferably preciousor non-precious metal in sheet form. The opposite side margins of each link member 22 are, for added strength and rigidity, curled or rolled into longitudinally extending beads 26 (see'also Fig; El, and the opposite ends thereof are deformed in the fashion best shown in Fig. 5 inorder to prcvide'hinge parts 23 and 30, respectively The opposite ends of the base plate l2 are similarly deformedandalso notched in the fashion best 's'hown iri Fig. 5, in order to provide hinge parts 32;" respectively, which are adapted to cooperate withthe hinge parts 28 of the link members 22, respectively, in forming, in conjunction with inserted pins 35, hinge connections between the base plate l2 and the link members 22. The link members 22 are preferably longitudinally curved the fashion shown in Fig. 5, so as to follow the longitudinal curvature of the base plate L2 when they are folded against the latter in the closed condition of the clasp.

Thecover members 24"of the folding extensions l4 and it may, like the link members 22, be identical and in the form. of lJ-sha'pedchannels'having one end closed by a wall; Each cover nember Ethaay be struckfrom precious or nan-precious sheetmetal and formed into the shape best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. Eachcover In her it is pivotally connected with its reective link member 22 by a pin [46 (Fig. 5) "extends through aligned holes 44' in the itejside flanges of the cover member 3 through the interposed hinge part 36 of the link member 22. The opposite ends of the pin 46 may conveniently be riveted over as at 48' (Fig. 1) so as to prevent removal of the pin from the cover member. The opposite side flanges 32 of each cover member 24 are, in the present instance, provided with additional aligned holes at for selective reception of a pin or the like by means of which the adjacent end of a wrist watch band, for instance, (not shown) may removably be secured to the cover member.

As best shown in Figs. 1, and 6, the end wall of each cover member 2A is formed so as to provide opposite slots 5!] and inclined cam edges 52 which lead to the entrances to the slots 50, respectively. The slots 5i! and cam edges 52 in the endwall ie of each cover member 2d combine to define a T-type slot of which the slots form aligned branches and the remainder forms a depending branch. The link members 22 are of smaller width than the gaps 54 between the opposite slots 58 in the cover members 24, so that each link member 22 and associated cover member '24 may be unfolded beyond the extent shown in Fig. 1, i. e., into position in which they may extend substantially co-planar with the base plate i2. The slots 54 and cam edges 52 of each cover member 24 are adapted to cooperate with latches (it in a housing 52. The housing 62, which is conveniently struck from sheet metal and formed into the shape shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8, is provided with laterally extending bottom flanges 64 which rest on the base plate E2. The latch housing 62 is firmly mounted on the base plate [2 by having portions 66 of the longitudinal beads 20 of the baseplate overlap the adjacent ends of the bottom flanges 64 of the latch housing in the fashion shown in Fig. 1, the opposite ends of the latch housing 62 further extending into adjacent notche It in the longitudinal beads 20 of the base plate [2 whereby the latch housing 62 is further located on the base plate E2. The latch members 66 may be identical, and each comprises a handle portion 72 and laterally extending fingers M and i6. fingers iii are wider than the latch fingers M for a purpose hereinafter described. The latch members 66 are mounted in the latch housing 62 for sliding movement toward each other by having their fingers M and it received in opposite lona:

gitudinal slots 18 in the latch housing 62. The handle portions '52 of the latch members normally extend to the outside of the housing 62 through openings 88 in the end walls 32, respectively. The latch members 60 are normally urged apart by an interposed compression spring 84 (Fig. 4) the opposite end of which surround forward projections 86 on the latch members Gil, respectively, so as to remain in operative alignment with the latter. Spring 84 is preferably formed of square convolutions for better anchorage on the projections 86 of the latch members 60.

The slots 5&3 in the end walls 48 of the cover members 24 are, in the example shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 9 to 11, made of equal depth, while the identical latch members 653 are arranged in the housing 62 in inverted relation to each other, so that a narrow latch finger I l and a wide latch finger i5 project from each side of the housing 62. Inverted arrangement of the latch member 69, as

It follows from Fig. 4 that the latch cover member 24 into interlocking relation with the latch members 69 without releasing the other cover member if it is in interlocked relation with the latch members 60.

' For a better understanding of this feature, reference is had to Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, in which slots 59 in the cover members 24 and the latch members are diagrammatically illustrated in different coordinated positions. Thus, Fig. 9 shows the fingers i4 and E6 of both latch members Bil in interlocked relation with the slots 50 in both cover members 24, conforming to the condition in which the extensions l4 and I6 are locked in folded or closed position (Fig. 2). Should it be desired to release cover 24 (Fig. 10) from interlocking relation with the latch members 6i? without releasing the opposite cover member 25', the latch members 6!! may be depressed to the extent indicated in Fig. 10 in which the fingers l4 and 16 that cooperate with the cover member '24 clear the slots 59 in the latter and permit its opening. However, while the latch members 60 are thus depressed for the release of the cover member 24', the wide finger 16 of the latch member 60 is still within the confines of the slot 5%) in the opposite cover member 24", wherefore the latter is retained in interlocked relation with the latch member 60' despite the release of the cover member 24 from both latch members. On the other hand, if it is desired to release cover 24" from interlocking relation with the latch member 5G without releasing the cover member 2d, the latch members 60 are depressed to the extent indicated in Fig. 11, in which latch member 6E releases both covers 24' and 24", while the opposite latch member 60" releases cover member 24", but remains in interlocked relation with cover member 24.

Should one of the cover members, say member 2%", be presently in interlocked engagement with the latch members 60, and the other cover mem ber 24 is snapped into interlocking relation therewith, the latch members will, prior to their entry into the notches 50' in cover member 24', be forced by the cam edges 52 of the latter into the depressed relative position shown in Fig. 10 in which latch member 60 remains in interlocked relation with the cover member 24" and thus prevents release of the latter. Likewise, if the cover member 24 is presently in interlocked relation with the latch members 56, and the opposite cover member 24" is snapped into interlocking relation with the latch members, the latter will momentarily be depressed into the relative po- Y sition shown in Fig. 11, in which cover member ze' is still in interlocked relation with latch member Gil", as will be readily understood.

Thus, either or both cover members 24 may be released from interlocking relation with the latch members 60, depending on the extent to which each latch member is depressed, as will be readily understood. Likewise, either cover member 24 may presently be in interlocked relation with the latch members 58, and the other cover member may be snapped into interlocking relation therewith, without releasing the cover member explained, serves as an expediency to enable the wearer to release either one or both cover members 2 3 from interlocking relation with the latch members ts on difierent manipulation of the latter, and primarily to permit snapping of either that is already locked.

Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, diagrammatically illustrate a modified arrangement of the latch members 66 and the slots 50 in the cover members 24. Thus, instead of providing the latch members with fingers of different width, as in the case of'the previously described latch members 60, the instant latch members 66a have fingers which are of equal width. However,

the slots eta t e ester members at are time of difie'reiit depth. reused-en cover member 24 has slots 5th fiila'f which are of lesser greater depth, respectively, and the slot same each cover is confronted by a slot 59a" the bppositecover member 24. When bctn c'ov'er members 24 are interlockedwith the latch in ibers Gila, the latter assume the relative disp'osi ion shown in Fig. 12, in which their fingers are'received ifi a-ll slots of both cover mem- If it is decided to release the cover mem ber 24; from the latch members fiiia w-itl'rout releasing the opposite cover member 2d", the latch members are: depressed to the extent illusti'ated in Fig. 13, in which cover mains-eras is clearly released from the latch members etc, while cover member 24" is still in interlocke'd relation with one of the latch members. Conversely, if it is decided to release cover member 24" from the latch members sea without releasing cover member 24, the latch members are de ressed to the extent indicated in Fig. 14, in

which cover member 247 is released from the latch members 155a, while the opposite cover member 2% is still in interlocked relation with one the latch members. Supposing now that be r member 2%" is presently in interlocked relation with the latch rnembers the and that the "other cover member 24' is snapped into inter locked relatidn with the same latch members,

the cam edges 52 of cev'er member 24 will then depress the latch members substantially to the extent indicated "iii Fig. 13 in order to bring the latter into alignment with the slots 55a in cover member 2d. However, during such depression of the latch members 56c, the opposite cover memlocked with the latch members 60a and the op- 'p'osite cover member 24" is snapped into interlocking relation with the same latch members, cam edges 52 of the cover member 24 will momentarily "depress the latch members to the extent indicated in Fig. 14, but it will be noted from this figure that cover member 24 is at no time released from the latch members 66a.

While I have shown and described the preierred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1. A folding extension device, comprising a base member, two pairs of cover and link members of which the members of each pair are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and the ends of said link members remote from said cover members are hingedly connected to the opposits ends of said base member so that said pairs of members are foldable into superposed relation on said base member in two adjacent groups, a latch mounted on said base member for movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members, said latch having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of base member, and catches to cooperate with said latch fingers, each catch comprising on said adjacent end of a cover member a depending end wall with a slot adapted for interlock with the adjacent latch finger.

2. A folding extension device, comprising a ember, two pairs of cover and link membars of which the members of each air are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and the ends or said linkmembersiemote from said cover members are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of said base member so that saidpairs of members are foldable into superposed relation on said base member in two adjacent groups, a latch mounted on said base member for movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members, said latch having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of said basemember, and catches to cooperate with said latch fingers, said catches comprising on said adjacent ends of said cover members depending end walls provided with T-type slots, each slot having a first branch adapted for interlock with the adjacent latch finger, and a wedga-shaped branch leading to said first branch and camming the adjacent latch finger into alignment with said first branch on folding the members of the respective pair into said superposed relation on said base member, and said latch being normally yieldingly urged into a position in which its fingers are in interlocking relation with the respectivefirst slot branches.

3. A folding extension device, comprising a base member, two pairs of cover and linkmembers of which the members of each pair are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and the ends of said link membersremote from'said cover members are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of said base member so that said pairs of members are foldable into=s1iperposed relation on said base members in two adjacent groups, a latch mounted on said base memberfor movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members and having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of said base member, and catches to cooperatewith said'latch fingers, said catches comprising on said adjacent ends of said cover members slotted lugs into and from interlocking engagement with which said latch fingers are movable when the members of said pairs are in "said superposed relation on said base member, the slots in said lugs being of equal depth and aligned longitudinally of said base member, and said fingers being of different width depthwise of said slots, so that said latch fingers and associated slotted lugs interlock successively in a certain order, and unlock successively in the opposite order, on movement of said latch to and from interlocking relation with said slotted lugs.

4. A folding extension device, comprising a base member, two pairs of cover and link members of which the members of each pair are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and the ends of said link members remote from said cover members are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of said base member so that said pairs are foldable into superposed relation on said base member in two adjacent groups, a latch mounted on said base member for movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members and having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of said base member, and catches to cooperate with said latch fingers, said catches comprising on said adjacent ends of said cover members slotted lugs into and from interlocking engagement with which said latch fingers are movable when the members of said pairs are in said superposed relation on said base member, the slots in said lugs being of different depth with their bottoms aligned longitudinally of said. base member, and said .finsers being aligned longitudinally of said base member and of equal width depthwise of said slots so that said latch fingers and associated slotted lugs pairs of members are foldable into superposed relation on said base member in two adjacent groups, opposite latches mounted on said base member for movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members, each latch having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of said base member, and catches to cooperate with the adjacent fingers of said latches, each catch comprising on the opposite sides and on said adjacent end of a cover member. slotted lugs into and from interlocking engagement with which the adjacent fingers of said latches are movable when the members of said pairs are in said superposed relation on said base member, the slots in all lugs being of equal depth and the slots in the lugs on the same sides of the folded cover members being aligned longitudinally of said base member, said latches being identical and arranged in inverted relation to one another and the fingers of each latch being of different width depthwise of the slots in the adjacent lugs,

so that one latch locks said cover members suecessively in a certain order and the other latch locks the same cover members successively in r the reverse order, on moving said latches into interlocking relation with said catches.

6.'A folding extension device, comprising a base member, two pairs of cover and link members of which the members of each pair are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and the ends of said link members remote from, said cover members are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of said base member so that said pairs of members are foldalble into superposed relation on said base member in two adjacent groups, opposite latches mounted on said base member for movement transversely thereof between said groups of folded members, each latch having opposite fingers extending longitudinally of said base member, and catches to cooperate with the adjacent fingers of said latches, each catch comprising on the opposite sides and on said adjacent end 'of a cover member slotted lugs into and from interlocking engagement with which the adjacent fingers of said latches are movable when the members of said pairs are in said superposed relation on said base member, the slots in the lugs on the same sides of the folded cover members being of difierent depth and the slots in the diagonally opposite lugs of the folded cover members being of equal depth, the bottoms of the slots in the lugs on the same sides of the folded cover members being aligned longitudinally of said base member, and said latches being identical and their fingers being aligned longitudinally of said base member and of equal width depthwise of the slots in the adjacent lugs, so that one latch locks said cover members successively in a certain order and the other latch locks the same cover members successively in the reverse order, on moving said latches into interlocking relation with said catches.

HARRY M. GAUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,741,421 Kraemer Dec. 31, 1929 1,791,037 Otten et al. Feb. 3, 1931 1,821,507 Gammell et al. Sept. 1, 1931 1,832,734 Prestinari Nov. 17, 1931 

